Improving fish production research

Chancellor College in corroboration with the University of Zambia launched a research aimed at improving fish production, processing and value addition for domestic and export markets.

Speaking when launching the project, the guest of honour Dr Steve Donda who represented the Principal Secretary in the ministry of Agriculture, food security, irrigation and water development commended the project saying it will improve the lives of people involved in the fish industry in the country.

Dr Donda said Malawi waters produce 120 metric tons of fish every year, but 40% of these are post harvest loses.

He therefore commended researchers, stake holders and donors for establishing the two researches called “tipindule ndi nsomba” and “nsomba nchuma”to boost fish production.

It is expected that new technologies on how to increase fish production and how to process fish to stay longer will be exposed through the researches.

Dr Donda said the research project is in line with the Malawi Rural Growth Development Strategy as fish production will increase thereby contributing to the economy of the country.

In his remarks the Principal for Chancellor College Dr Richard Tambulasi said they have to do the research to impart knowledge and skills from the findings to the communities involved in Fish production in Malawi and Zambia.

He further said as an academic institution Chancellor College is committed to do researches because it is one way of knowledge development.

Dr Tambulasi said the research will be done in lake shore districts of Salima and Mangochi including Zomba district which is within Lake Chilwa basin and the Barotse plains in Zambia.

The research is being funded by the governments of Australia and Canada under the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) based in Nairob, Kenya.

Dr Jemima Njugi is the programs officer for agriculture and food security for IDRC and says through the research they hope to see improvement in fish supply and consumption in the two countries.

Dr Njugi said they play the role of both a donor and technical expertise hence they will also act as an adviser in the project.

2.1million Canadian Dollars will be pumped into the project which will run for thirty months.